Improvement in machines for cutting splints



Patented April 29, 1873.

c. P. & c. DLGL ARK.

Machines for Cutting Splints.

AM. PHOTU-UTHDGRAPHIC ca m s m Pnpasss) UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES P. CLARK AND CHESTER D. CLARK, OF BEAVER DAM, WISCONSIN.

IMPROVEMENT lN MACHINES FOR CUTTING SPLINTS.

- Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 138,378, dated April29, 1873; application filed December 13, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES P. CLARK and CHEsTER D. CLARK, of BeaverDam, in the county of Dodge and State of Wisconsin, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Cutting Splints; and

we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art towhich our invention appertains to make and use the same, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, inwhich Figure 1 is a general plan or top view of a splint-cuttin gmachine embodying our said improvement. Fig. 2 is a verticallongitudinal section taken on line cl cl drawn through Fig. 1, showingthe operating parts of the machine; and Fig. 3 is an enlarged top viewof the block carrying the cutter detached.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in the several figuresof the drawing.

Our invention relates to that class of machines used for cutting splintsfor the making of baskets; and the improvement consists in an adjustableblock carrying a cutter, which is horizontally arranged oblique to thebolt from which the splint is to be cut, the said block having areciprocating movement longitudinally with the bolt, whereby the cutteris alternately brought in contact therewith and diagonal to the same, bywhich means the splint is out without injury to the grain of the timber.It further consists in the mechanism employed in operating the saidcutter, all of which will be more fully understood by the followingdescription.

In the drawing, A represents the frame of the machine, which issubstantially made of wood or metal, and in the requisite form toreceive the operating parts. The upper surface or bed of the frame isprovided with a longitudinal groove or channel, B, within which isloosely fitted an adjustable block, B This block is so arranged as toadmit of a free and easy movement in the direction of its length withinthe said channel. D is a guide or 'way, which is arranged longitudinallyat or near the center of the upper surface of the said block, and ispermanently secured thereto. C is the cutter, which is also firmlysecured to the upper surface of the said block, and has its cutting-edgearranged at an acute angle to the side of the guide D. Firmly affixed tothe upper surface or bed of the frame are uprights E E, which arearranged transversely across the groove or channel B. The said uprightsare each provided with a vertical groove, to, within which is looselyfitted the ends of the bolt-holder F, the same being so arranged as toadmit of a free and easy vertical movement therein. Pivoted to the uppersurface of the bed areguides Gr G, upon which the bolt-holder issupported. Firmly secured to the said bed is a spring, I, the ends ofwhich engage the end of guides G G, as as shown in Fig. 1, by whichmeans the said guides are secured in proper position under thebolt-holder. The arrangement of the said guides is such as to bealternately moved from under the said bolt-holder by the contact ofguide D as the block recedes or is moved backward, thereby allowing thebolt to drop sufficient for the requisite thickness of splintpreparatory to the forward movement of the said block. Secured withinsuitable boxes affixed to the end of the frame is a shaft, J, upon theend of which is mounted a pulley, J. Around this pulley is passed asuitable belt, not shown, which communicates with the proper machineryby which a rotating movement is imparted to the said shaft. Looselyfitted upon the said shaft at the end opposite to pulley J is a hollowmandrel, K, upon which is mounted a wheel, K. Firmly secured to the endof the said mandrel is a clutch, L, which engages a correspondingclutch, L, per manently affixed to shaft J, by which a rotatin gmovement is imparted to the said mandrel by the rotation of the shaftwhen the said clutches are engaged. Properly attached to clutch L is alever, M, by which the said clutches are disengaged when desired.Affixed to and around wheel K is a belt or strap, H, which extendsthrough the groove or channel B to and around a like wheel, P, which ismounted upon a shaft, R, affixed to the opposite end of the frame. Thisstrap is permanently attached to the lower surface of block B, as shownin Fig. 2. Properly secured with:

in wheel P is a spiral spring, m, which is so arranged as to admit ofbeing uncoiled by the rotation of the said wheel.

The operation of our machine is as follows: The bolt being securedwithin the holder F, motion is imparted to shaft J and mandrel K, bywhich means strap H is wound around wheel K, thereby moving block Bforward bringing cutter C in contact with the end of the bolt, and asthe said block is moved forward the cutter passes through the bolt inthe direction of its length, thereby forming the splint, and as thecutter passes through the bolt clutches L L are disengaged by lever M,releasing mandrel K, by which means strap H is Wound around wheel P bythe recoiling of spring m, thereby moving block B back to clutches L L,wheel K, strap H, wheel I,

shaft R, and spring m, all arranged as and for the purpose described.

2. The spring I and guides G G, arranged substantially in the manner andfor the purpose set forth.

CHARLES P. CLARK. CHESTER D. CLARK.

Witnesses:

E. C. PRATT, HENRY O. SLOAN.

